Heroic Off-Duty Firefighter Uses Final Moments To Save 3 Girls As His 10-Year-Old Daughter Watches
September 25, 2021
Off-duty firefighter Sivad Johnson was enjoying a day at the river with his 10-year-old daughter when he spotted three girls in trouble. The brave dad wasted no time jumping in to save them. Sadly, though, it cost him his life.
Sergeant Sivad Johnson and his 10-year-old daughter took a trip together to Belle Isle, a 982-acre island park in the Detroit River. But when the off-duty firefighter heard someone shouting that three girls were drowning, he knew he had to do something.
RELATED: Off-Duty ‘Angel’ Swoops In To Save Mom’s Limp 4-Year-Old Son At Pool
As a 26-year veteran of the Detroit Fire Department, saving lives is just what Sergeant Johnson does. Sivad handed his keys and wallet to Hayden and took off running toward the emergency.
He and another Good Samaritan dove into the Detroit River and swam to the three girls in danger.
The rescuers succeeded in getting the girls to safety. But somewhere in the midst of the rescuers, authorities believe a rip current dragged the off-duty firefighter to his death.
As soon as Hayden realized her dad hadn't emerged from the river with the rest of the folks, she called 911. Her grandfather came and picked her up while crews searched for Sergeant Johnson.
Tragically, the next day, his body was discovered and his drowning confirmed.
Heroic Off-Duty Firefighter Honored
The tragic death of off-duty firefighter Sergeant Sivad Johnson hit his family hard. But it wasn't just his immediate family who mourned. His extended family at the Detroit Fire Department felt the loss deeply, too.
RELATED: Dad’s Final Moments Caught In Photo Just Before He Loses Life Saving Son
In fact, when the recovery crew brought Sergeant Johnson's body to the hospital, there were about 10 fire companies waiting there to salute him.
“I would say there was not a dry eye in the house,” said the deputy fire commissioner, Dave Fornell. “I’ve never seen as many firefighters as emotional as this. He was almost bigger than life. He just moved a lot of people.”
The deputy fire commission explained how Sivad Johnson was more than just a firefighter. To many of his colleagues, he was a mentor and a teacher who made their careers.
“He was just a magnificent man, soft-spoken, caring, truly a great human being,” said Eric Jones, the Detroit fire commissioner.
“He was always a hero to me,” said Sivad's brother, Jamal Johnson.
And now, Sergeant Sivad Johnson is a hero to many more people. Because of this off-duty firefighter's sacrifice, three lives were saved.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Man Overhears Guy Threatening His Date Until An Off-Duty Cop Slides Into Action
And the community is already chipping in to take care of the wife and two daughters he left behind. Let us all lift them up in prayer during this difficult time.
"Greater love has no man than this, that a man gives up his life for his friends." John 15:13
WATCH: Off-Duty Firefighter Loses Life While Saving 3 Girls From Drowning
LISTEN: Manager Comes Out Of Popeyes Restaurant And Goes Up To Homeless Woman In Parking Lot
h/t: The New York Times
Featured Image: Detroit Fire Department/Youtube
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
- Rock Singer's Powerful Rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.